Deformable spacer for firearms

ABSTRACT

A spacer for coupling a muzzle device to a muzzle of a barrel of a firearm includes an annular body. The annular body includes an inner portion having an inner wall. The inner wall defines a central opening and a central axis. A barrel engaging portion extending radially away from inner the portion and the central axis. The annular body also includes a muzzle device engaging portion extending radially away from the inner portion and the central axis. A channel is defined between the barrel engaging portion and the muzzle device engaging portion.

BACKGROUND

Deformable spacers are often used to couple muzzle devices to the muzzles of firearm barrels. However, conventional deformable spacers may experience excessive radial deformation that causes the deformable spacer to become constricted onto the muzzle, which may require the deformable spacer to be cut or pried from the muzzle using a tool. Using tools on the muzzle area increases the likelihood of damage to the muzzle of the firearm region.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

A spacer for coupling a muzzle device to a muzzle of a barrel of a firearm includes an annular body. The annular body includes an inner portion having an inner wall. The inner wall defines a central opening and a central axis. A barrel engaging portion extends radially away from inner the portion and the central axis. The annular body also includes a muzzle device engaging portion extending radially away from the inner portion and the central axis. A channel is defined between the barrel engaging portion and the muzzle device engaging portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify various aspects of some example embodiments of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view a firearm according to one example;

FIG. 2A is an exploded view of a barrel and muzzle device assembly of the firearm of FIG. 1, the barrel assembly having a deformable spacer;

FIG. 2B is an assembled view of the barrel and muzzle device assembly of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a side view of a deformable spacer in an uncompressed state;

FIG. 3B is a section view of the deformable spacer of FIG. 3A in the uncompressed state taken along section 3B-3B of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a side view of the deformable spacer of FIG. 3A in a partially compressed state;

FIG. 3D is a section view of the deformable spacer of FIG. 3A in the partially compressed state taken along section 3D-3D of FIG. 3C;

FIG. 4A is a side view of a deformable spacer in an uncompressed state; and

FIG. 4B is a section view of the deformable spacer of FIG. 4A in the uncompressed state taken along section 4B-4B of FIG. 4A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

As will be described in more detail hereinafter, deformable spacers are provided herein that are configured to be compressed to facilitate coupling of muzzle devices to barrels of firearms while minimizing radially inward deformation of the deformable spacers. Minimizing radially inward deformation of the deformable spacers may act to reduce engagement between the interiors of such deformable spacers and barrels to which they are coupled. This in turn may allow deformable spacers to be readily removed after a muzzle device has been removed while reducing the necessity to cut the deformable spacers in the process by reducing interference between the deformable spacers and the barrels.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a firearm 10. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the firearm 10 may be configured as an auto-loading rifle, which includes semi-automatic and automatic rifles, though it will be appreciated that the firearm 10 may have other configurations, such as bolt action and other types of actions, which may include pistols, revolvers, and other types of firearms. The firearm 10 includes a receiver assembly 100. In the illustrated example, the receiver assembly 100 is configured to couple or facilitate coupling of an action 110 and a barrel assembly 20.

In at least one example, the firearm 10 further includes a stock assembly 120 coupled to the receiver assembly 100. It will be appreciated that the stock assembly 120 may be partially or completely integrated with the receiver assembly 100 in some examples. Further, the barrel assembly 20 is shown as being removably coupled to the receiver assembly 100, though it will be appreciated that barrel assembly 20 may be integrated with any number of components of the receiver assembly 100.

As used herein, distal will refer to positions that are relatively further away from an operator compared to more proximal or closer components. In both instances, distal and proximal locations will be described with reference to a central axis 12; the central axis 12 extending through the center of the barrel assembly 20 and through the receiver assembly 100. Transverse directions will be described as being at an angle to the central axis 12 or to an axis or axes that are offset from and parallel to the central axis 12. Axial translation will be described as being generally parallel to the central axis 12, while radial movement or positions will be described as being generally perpendicular to the central axis 12.

The receiver assembly 100 is configured to facilitate operation of the action 110 to fire projectiles from the barrel assembly 20, as is well known in the art. As shown in FIG. 1, the barrel assembly 20 includes a barrel 200. In the illustrated example, a deformable spacer 30 is configured to facilitate removable coupling of a muzzle device 40 to the barrel 200 to form a barrel and muzzle device assembly 22 (best seen in FIGS. 2A-2B). The deformable spacer 40 may be positioned in such a manner as to allow the muzzle device 40 to be maintained at a desired orientation relative to the barrel assembly 20 when the muzzle device 40 is coupled to the barrel assembly 20, as will be discussed in more detail at an appropriate point hereinafter.

The muzzle device 40 shown includes flash suppression as well as muzzle break functionality, though it will be appreciated that any type of muzzle device may be used with the deformable spacer 40. The coupling and interaction of the muzzle device 40 and the deformable spacer 40 to the exemplary barrel assembly 20 will now be discussed in more detail.

FIG. 2A is an exploded view of a barrel and muzzle device assembly 22, which includes the barrel assembly 20, the deformable spacer 30, and the muzzle device 40. As shown in FIG. 2A, the barrel assembly 20 generally includes a barrel 200 having a proximal end 200A and a distal end 200B. The distal end 200B includes a muzzle 210 and a threaded portion 220 proximal of the muzzle 210. A shoulder 230 is formed on the barrel 200 proximally to the threaded portion 220. The muzzle device 40 includes a proximal end 40A and a distal end 40B.

The proximal end 40A of the muzzle device 40 includes female threads therein that allow the muzzle device 40 to thread onto the distal end 200B of the barrel 200 and onto the threaded portion 220 in particular.

In the illustrated example, the muzzle device 40 includes a plurality of gas direction features 42 and 44. The gas direction features 42 are configured as muzzle break openings while the gas direction features 44 are configured as flash suppressing features. It may be desirable for the gas direction features 42 to be oriented in a specific orientation.

For example, it may be desirable for the gas direction features 42 to vent gasses in a direction that is perpendicular to a path of a projectile as it exits the barrel assembly 20. It may also be desirable for the barrel assembly 20 to have multiple types of muzzle device 40 coupled thereto. For example, in some instances it may be desirable to have a muzzle device configured as a compensator coupled to the barrel assembly 20 while in other instances it may be desirable to have a muzzle device configured as a muzzle break, as described above.

The deformable spacer 30 is configured to allow muzzle devices, such as muzzle device 40 to be readily and removably coupled to barrel assemblies, such as barrel assembly 20, while minimizing radial constriction of the deformable spacer 30 as the deformable spacer is deformed as the muzzle device 40 is coupled to the barrel assembly 20. Minimizing radial constriction of the deformable spacer may allow the deformable spacer 40 to be readily removed from the distal end 200B of the barrel 200, which in turn may reduce the potential for damage to the muzzle 210 or the threaded portion 220 of the barrel 200 when removing the deformable spacer 30.

FIG. 2B shows the barrel device 40 and the deformable spacer 30 coupled to the muzzle barrel assembly 20 as part of the barrel and muzzle device assembly 22. Referring now to both FIGS. 2A and 2B, to couple the muzzle device 40 to the barrel assembly 20, the deformable spacer 40 is placed proximally relative to the muzzle 210, such as on or proximally of the threaded portion 220. Thereafter, the muzzle device 40 is threaded onto the threaded portion 220 of barrel 200.

As the muzzle device 40 is threaded onto the threaded portion 220 of the barrel 200, the proximal end 40A engages the deformable spacer 30 and moves the deformable spacer 30 into engagement with the shoulder 230. As the muzzle device 40 is further threaded onto the threaded portion 220, the deformable spacer 30 is compressed between the proximal end 40A of the muzzle device 40 and the shoulder 230 on the distal end 200B of the barrel 200. The uncompressed, default state of the deformable spacer 30 is shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B while the partially compressed state is shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D.

Referring still simultaneously to FIGS. 2A and 2B, as the deformable spacer 40 is compressed, it exerts a corresponding force that acts distally on the muzzle device 40 and proximally against the shoulder 230. The axial force acting distally on the muzzle device 40 causes results in tensile forces between the muzzle device 40 and the threaded portion 220 that act to retain the muzzle device 40 in position on the distal end 200B of the barrel 200.

The deformable spacer 30 is configured such that such compression may result in some plastic deformation of the deformable spacer 30 while still allowing the deformable spacer 30 to continue to apply the axial forces distally against the proximal 40A of the muzzle device 40. The configuration and compression of the deformable spacer 40 will now be discussed in more detail.

FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of the deformable spacer 30 in an uncompressed, undeformed state, such as may exist before the deformable spacer 30 is used to couple a muzzle device 30 to a barrel 200 as shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 3B is a cross sectional view of the deformable spacer 30 taken along section 3B-3B of FIG. 3A.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the deformable spacer 30 includes a generally annular body 300. The annular body 300 includes an inner portion 310 having an inner wall 312 defining a central opening 314 and a central axis 316. When the deformable spacer 30 is positioned over the distal end 200B of the barrel 200 (shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B), the central axis 316 of the deformable spacer 30 is generally aligned with the central axis 12 (FIG. 2A) of the barrel assembly 20 (FIG. 2A).

In the illustrated example, the inner portion 310 also includes a proximal shoulder 317 and a distal shoulder 318. In the illustrated example, the proximal shoulder 317 and the distal shoulder 318 are each generally perpendicular to the inner wall 312. A centerline 319 is defined midway between the proximal shoulder 317 and the distal shoulder 318 at the inner wall 312 and perpendicular to the central axis 316.

For ease of reference, radial positioning and movement or orientation of various elements of the deformable spacer 30 will be described relative to the central axis 316. In particular, radially inward will refer to movement or positions that are relatively closer to the central axis 316 while radially outward will refer to movement or positions that are relatively further from the central axis 316.

Similarly, axial positioning or movement of various elements of the deformable spacer 30 will be described relative to the centerline 319. As previously introduced, axial movement or positions described as proximal or distal have been discussed previously with respect to the firearm 10 (FIG. 1) and apply in a similar fashion to the deformable spacer 30.

The annular body 300 has an outer portion 320 that includes a barrel engaging portion 330 and a muzzle device engaging portion 340. As shown in FIG. 3B, the barrel engaging portion 330 extends proximally (and thus away from the centerline 319) and radially away from the inner portion 310 (and thus away from the central axis 316). In particular, the barrel engaging portion 330 includes an inner proximal angled surface 332 that extends radially and distally away from the proximal shoulder 317. Accordingly, the inner proximal angled surface 332 extends away from the central axis 316 as well away from the centerline 319 in a proximal direction.

A barrel engaging surface 334 extends at least radially away from the inner proximal angled surface 332. In the illustrated example, the barrel engaging surface 334 is generally parallel to the centerline 319, though it will be appreciated that the barrel engaging surface 334 may be oriented at any acute angle relatively to a line parallel to the center line 319.

As also shown in FIG. 3B, a proximal outer surface 336 extends distally from the barrel engaging surface 334, and thus also extends generally toward the centerline 319. An outer proximal angled surface 338 extends radially inward from the proximal outer surface 336 and thus toward the central axis 316 as well as extending in a direction toward the centerline 319. The outer proximal angled surface 338 is in communication with a channel surface 350. The channel surface 350 may be generally parallel to the inner wall 312.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the muzzle device engaging portion 340 includes an inner distal angled surface 342 that extends radially and distally away from the distal shoulder 318. Accordingly, the inner distal angled surface 342 extends away from the central axis 316 as well away from the centerline 319.

A muzzle device engaging surface 344 extends at least radially away from the inner distal angled surface 342. In the illustrated example, the muzzle device engaging surface 344 is generally parallel to the centerline 319, though it will be appreciated that the muzzle device engaging surface 344 may be oriented at any acute angle relatively to a line parallel to the center line 319.

As also shown in FIG. 3B, a distal outer surface 346 extends distally from the muzzle device engaging surface 344, and thus also extends generally toward the centerline 319. An outer distal angled surface 348 extends away from the distal outer surface 346 in a direction toward the centerline 319 and toward the central axis 316. The outer distal angled surface 348 is in communication with the channel surface 350.

As also shown in FIG. 3B, a channel 360 is defined between the barrel engaging portion 330 and the muzzle device engaging portion 340. In the illustrated example, the channel 360 is defined between the outer proximal angled surface 338, the outer distal angled surface 348, and the channel surface 350.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the inner portion 310 has an inner thickness 370 as measured parallel the central axis 316 as measured at the inner wall 312. Similarly, the outer portion 320 has an outer thickness 380 as measured between the barrel engaging portion 330 and the muzzle device engaging portion 340, and as measured between the barrel engaging surface 334 and the muzzle device engaging surface 344 in particular. The outer thickness 380 is greater than the inner thickness 370. As previously introduced, the channel 360 is defined between the barrel engaging portion 330 and the muzzle device engaging portion 340. Such a configuration allows the deformable spacer 30 to deform while exerting axial forces on associated components as previously introduced.

FIG. 3C is a side view of the deformable spacer 30 in a partially compressed state, such as exists in FIG. 2B. As shown in FIG. 3C, as the deformable spacer 30 moves toward a compressed state, the barrel device engaging portion 330 and the muzzle device engaging portion 340 move toward each other. In at least one example, at least a portion of the channel 360 is narrowed as the barrel device engaging portion 330 and the muzzle device engaging portion 340 move toward each other.

FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional view of the deformable spacer 30 in the partially compressed state of FIG. 3C, taken along section 3D-3D. As shown in FIG. 3D, narrowing of at least a portion of the channel 360 as the barrel engaging portion 330 and the muzzle device engaging portion 340 move toward each other minimizes radial constriction of the inner portion 310. Minimizing radially constriction of the inner portion 310 may act to reduce engagement between the inner portion 310 and the distal end 200B of the barrel 200 (both shown in FIG. 2A), which in turn may allow the deformable spacer 30 to be readily removed while reducing the necessity to cut the deformable spacer 30. It will be appreciated that movement of the barrel engaging portion 330 and the muzzle device engaging portion 340 may include movement of the barrel engaging surface 334 and the muzzle device engaging surface 344 toward each other, the proximal outer angled surface 338 and the distal outer angled surface 348 moving toward each other, or movement of any of the elements or portions of the barrel engaging portion 330 and the muzzle device engaging portion 340 moving toward each other.

FIG. 4A illustrates another exemplary deformable spacer 30′. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the deformable spacer 30′ taken along section 4B-4B of FIG. 4A.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the deformable spacer 30′ includes a generally annular body 400. As shown in FIG. 4B, the annular body 400 includes an inner portion 410 having an inner wall 412 defining a central opening 414 and a central axis 416.

In the illustrated example, the inner portion 410 also includes a proximal shoulder 417. In the illustrated example, the proximal shoulder 417 is generally perpendicular to the inner wall 412. The inner wall 412 also defines a centerline 419.

For ease of reference, radial positioning and movement or orientation of various elements of the deformable spacer 30′ will be described relative to the central axis 416. In particular, radially inward will refer to movement or positions that are relatively closer to the center axis 416 while radially outward will refer to movement or positions that are relatively further from the central axis 416.

Similarly, axial positioning or movement of various elements of the deformable spacer 30′ will be described relative to the centerline 419. As previously introduced, axial movement or positions described as proximal or distal have been discussed previously with respect to the firearm 10 (FIG. 1) and apply in a similar fashion to the deformable spacer 30′.

The annular body 400 also has an outer portion 420 that includes a barrel engaging portion 430 and a muzzle device engaging portion 440. As shown in FIG. 4B, the barrel engaging portion 430 extends proximally (and thus away from the centerline 419) and radially away from the inner portion 410 (and thus away from the central axis 416). In particular, the barrel engaging portion 430 includes an inner proximal angled surface 432 that extends radially and distally away from the proximal shoulder 417. Accordingly, the inner proximal angled surface 432 extends away from the central axis 416 as well away from the centerline 419.

A barrel engaging surface 434 extends at least radially away from the inner proximal angled surface 432. In the illustrated example, the barrel engaging surface 434 is generally parallel to the centerline 419, though it will be appreciated that the barrel engaging surface 434 may be oriented at any acute angle relatively to a line parallel to the center line 419.

As also shown in FIG. 4B, a proximal outer surface 436 extends distally from the barrel engaging surface 434, and thus also extends generally toward the centerline 419. An outer proximal angled surface 438 extends away from the proximal outer surface 436 in a direction toward the centerline 419 and radially inward, and thus toward the central axis 416.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the muzzle device engaging portion 440 includes an inner distal angled surface 442 that extends radially and distally away from the inner wall 412. Accordingly, the inner distal angled surface 442 extends away from the central axis 416 as well away from the centerline 419.

A muzzle device engaging surface 444 extends at least radially away from the inner distal angled surface 442. In the illustrated example, the muzzle device engaging surface 444 is generally parallel to the centerline 419, though it will be appreciated that the muzzle device engaging surface 444 may be oriented at any acute angle relatively to a line parallel to the center line 419.

As also shown in FIG. 4B, a distal outer surface 446 extends distally from the muzzle device engaging surface 444, and thus also extends generally toward the centerline 419. An outer distal angled surface 448 extends away from the distal outer surface 446 in a direction toward the centerline 419 and toward the central axis 416.

As also shown in FIG. 4B, a channel 460 is defined between the barrel engaging portion 430 and the muzzle device engaging portion 440. In the illustrated example, the channel 460 is defined between the outer proximal angled surface 438 and the outer distal angled surface 448.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the inner portion 410 has an inner thickness 470 as measured at the inner wall 412 parallel the central axis 416. Similarly, the outer portion 420 has an outer thickness 480 as measured between the barrel engaging portion 430 and the muzzle device engaging portion 440, and in particular as measured between the barrel engaging surface 434 and the muzzle device engaging surface 444. The outer thickness 480 is greater than the inner thickness 470.

As previously introduced, the channel 460 is defined between the barrel engaging portion 430 and the muzzle device engaging portion 440. Such a configuration allows the deformable spacer 30′ to deform while exerting axial forces on associated components as previously introduced and discussed with reference to the deformable spacer 30 shown and discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1-3B.

Accordingly, deformable spacers have been provided herein that are configured to be compressed to facilitate coupling of muzzle devices to barrels of firearms while minimizing radially inward deformation of the deformable spacers. Minimizing radially inward deformation of the deformable spacers may act to reduce engagement between the interiors of such deformable spacers and barrels to which they are coupled. This in turn may allow deformable spacers to be readily removed after a muzzle device has been removed while reducing the necessity to cut the deformable spacers in the process by reducing interference between the deformable spacers and the barrels. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A spacer for coupling a muzzle device to a muzzle of a barrel of a firearm, the spacer comprising: an annular body having: an inner portion having an inner wall defining a central opening and a central axis; a barrel engaging portion extending radially away from the inner portion and the central axis; and a muzzle device engaging portion extending radially away from the inner portion and the central axis, wherein a channel is defined between the barrel engaging portion and the muzzle device engaging portion.
 2. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the barrel engaging portion also extends axially away from the annular inner portion in a first axial direction.
 3. The spacer of claim 2, wherein the muzzle device engaging portion also extends axially away from the annular inner portion in a second axial direction, the second axial direction being opposite the first axial direction.
 4. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the inner portion has a proximal surface and a distal surface adjacent the central opening, the barrel engaging portion has a barrel engaging surface, the muzzle device engaging portion has a muzzle device engaging surface, and the annular body has an inner thickness as measured between the proximal surface and the distal surface parallel to the central axis and an outer thickness as measured between the barrel engaging surface and the muzzle device engaging surface parallel to the central axis such that the outer thickness is greater than the inner thickness.
 5. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the channel is sized such that a compressive force applied to the annular body via the barrel engaging portion and the muzzle device engaging portion reduces an axial width of the channel.
 6. A spacer for coupling a muzzle device to a muzzle of a barrel of a firearm, the spacer comprising: an annular body having: an inner portion having an inner wall defining a central opening and a central axis; a barrel engaging portion extending radially away from the inner portion and the central axis; and a muzzle device engaging portion extending radially away from the inner portion and the central axis, wherein a channel is defined between the barrel engaging portion and the muzzle device engaging portion, the channel being sized such that a compressive force applied to the annular body via the barrel engaging portion and the muzzle device engaging portion reduces an axial width of the channel.
 7. The spacer of claim 6, wherein the barrel engaging portion also extends axially away from the inner portion in a first axial direction.
 8. The spacer of claim 7, wherein the muzzle engaging portion also extends axially away from the inner portion in a second axial direction, the second axial direction being opposite the first axial direction.
 9. The spacer of claim 6, wherein the inner wall is parallel to the central axis.
 10. The spacer of claim 6, wherein the annular inner has a proximal surface and a distal surface adjacent the central opening and wherein the barrel engaging portion has a barrel engaging surface and the muzzle device engaging portion has a muzzle device engaging surface, wherein the annular body has an inner thickness as measured between proximal surface and the distal surface parallel to the central axis, and the annular body further has an outer thickness measured between the barrel engaging surface and the muzzle device engaging surface parallel to the central axis such that the outer thickness is greater than the inner thickness.
 11. A spacer for coupling a muzzle device to a muzzle of a barrel of a firearm, the spacer comprising: an annular body having: an inner portion having an inner wall defining a central opening and a central axis, the inner portion having an inner thickness as measured at the inner wall as measured parallel to the central axis; an outer portion extending radially outward from the inner portion, the outer portion having a barrel engaging surface and a muzzle device engaging surface, the outer portion having an outer thickness as measured between the barrel engaging surface and the muzzle engaging surface parallel to the central axis; wherein a channel is defined between the barrel engaging surface and the muzzle device engaging surface; wherein the outer thickness is greater than the inner thickness.
 12. The spacer of claim 11, wherein the channel is sized such that a compressive force applied to the annular body via the barrel engaging portion and the muzzle device engaging portion reduces an axial width of the channel. 